For more information on living with coyotes, see below.
Assure pets are secured.
- Supervise pets in yards, particularly in areas where previous pet attacks are known to occur.
- Keep cats indoors. Consider using a catio or a leash as alternatives.
- Keep dogs on 6-foot leashes. NEVER walk your dog off leash (except in designated off-leash areas) or on a retractable leash. Most municipalities have leash laws that state that dogs must be attached to a leash held by a competent person. When letting your dog off leash in designated off-leash areas, be sure they are under voice command.
- Be particularly vigilant during pup-rearing season (especially March-June) when conflicts are at their highest and pets are in the most danger.
- Dusk to dawn is the period when coyotes are most active. However, it is important to be aware that coyotes are active during the day also.
- Never feed coyotes.
- Access to human food has been suggested as a contributor to aggressive behavior by coyotes toward people.
- It is illegal to feed wildlife in the state of California.
- Cover your trash and compost so coyotes do not have access to leftover food. Unintentionally providing food to wildlife is known as indirect feeding. Although you are not directly providing food for the coyote, uncovered trash or compost bins provide an unnatural food source for the coyote to consume.
- Harvest ripe and fallen fruit as this is another source of indirect feeding for coyotes.
- Feed pets inside or leave food outside for limited periods of time only.
- Don’t feed feral cats. Food provided for feral cats can also act as another food source for coyotes, as well as the cats themselves falling prey to coyote attacks.
- Build a coyote-proof fence where possible. Coyotes are excellent jumpers and can easily navigate 6 ft walls. Eight-foot fences are recommended where possible to try and exclude coyotes from yards. A roller bar may also be attached to the top of the fence to further deter coyote efforts to gain access to yards.
- Enclose backyard poultry, livestock, or other small animals that live outside with secure fencing and a roof. These act as another food source for coyotes and need to be protected from predation attempts. Remember, coyotes can jump as well as dig so ensure that desired animals are secured from all angles.
- Be vigilant with small children in areas where coyotes are frequently seen and heard.
- Pay attention to signage about active coyote presence in the area.
- Be aware near dense vegetation..
- Modify vegetation where coyotes may rest. This includes the reduction of dense shrubs that may provide shade and cover for coyotes to rest.
- NEVER approach an aggressive, sick, or injured coyote, unless trained to do so. Coyotes can be unpredictable and defensive. If you feel that there is an immediate threat to your safety, dial 911.